Asian Journal of Research in Botany

This study investigated the toxic effect of aqueous extract of Thaumatococcus danielli leaves using morphological and functional changes in the liver and kidney of Wistar rats as indicators.The extract was orally administered to three groups of six animals (n=6) B, C, D at doses of 1.414 g/kg, 2.828 g/kg and 4.242 g/kg body weight respectively whilecontrol group (group A) received 2ml of distilled water for 28 days. Body weights were measured weekly throughout the experimental period. At the end of the experiment, organ weights, activities of alanine and aspartate amino transaminases, serum creatinine and urea levels were analysed using standard protocol. Additionally, liver and kidneys were excised in the animals and processed for morphological examination.

Dose dependent and significant (P<0.05) increase in body weight, activities of Alanine and Aspartate amino transaminases, serum creatinine and urea levels, as well as significant decrease in organ weight was observed in groups C and D. Distortion, congestion of central vein and proliferation of collagen fibres were observed in the liver while distorted glomeruli, bowman capsule, dilated renal tubules with presence of necrotic cells were observed in the kidney of group C and D. These parameters in group B showed no significant (p>0.05) difference compared with the control group. No variation was observed in the renal and liver histology of the group B when compared with the normal control.

From this study,the aqueous leave extract ofT. danielliwas only toxic at 2.828 g/kg and 4.242 g/kg body weight. Thus, the use of the leaves especially in food wrapping will be safe at low dose since the toxic dose is unlikely for food wrappings.